Company claims that there are specially developed products that are packed with antioxidants
Zurich – according to the world’s largest producer of chocolate, it may have come up with a chocolate bar that could assist in the fight against wrinkles as well as slowing down the aging process, thus making it the most-up-to-date food group to tap the taste for a better quality of health.
Studies that have been carried out by Barry Callebaut have shown that, consuming 20 grams (0.755 oz) of this specially developed chocolate that is packed with antioxidants, or flavanols, everyday may help in preventing wrinkles and making the skin look more radiant by enhancing elasticity and boosting hydration.
Consumers are increasingly becoming more health conscious and aware of the nutritional value of what they consume, and Barry Callebaut’s claims has come in as food giants like Danone and Nestle are also pushing into the arena of healthy eating.
Previously, dark chocolate has been connected with numerous health benefits, like assisting in lowering blood pressure or bringing a reduction in the probability of strokes due to its high content of antioxidants.
In an interview, Hans Vriens, the Chief Innovation Officer of Barry Callebaut, stated that the Swiss group had come up with a preservation method to conserve the flavanols that are found in cocoa beans throughout the chocolate-making process, thus allowing them to make a bar that is more concentrated in flavanols.
Vriens declares that while chocolate and health seem to be incongruent, it is however a very fascinating proposition; if a person can eat something that he actually likes and is at the same time good for his health then the proposition is noteworthy. Usually when one thinks about making food becoming healthier, chocolate is most likely to find itself at the very bottom of the list.
Pollution, smoking, a lack of sleep and caffeine all help in the creation of free radicals which are able to damage healthy cells in the body, thus accelerating the aging process.
Jon Cox, analyst of Kepler Capital Markets, said that exists a big body of evidence that points to the fact that flavanols actually slow down the damage caused by free radicals. He advances that food manufacturing companies are trying to leverage wellness and health into numerous products and there is surely a market for chocolate in regards to wellness and health. We have previously witnesses its success in dairy products with products such as Unilever’s Benecol and Danone’s Actimel.
The functional market for chocolate comprises of diet and organic chocolate. This market is currently seeing a double-digit growth, effortless surpassing the mere 1 or 2 percent growth that is actually being seen in the remaining of the chocolate market, Cox stated.
However, some experts remain doubtful regarding the positive effects that flavanols could have on skin.
In accordance with the Professor of the Human Nutrition, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Richard Hurrell, there exists significant proof that cocoa flavanols have indeed a positive impact on the blood flow. They can bring a reduction in the blood pressure which in turn can have a positive impact on cardiovascular diseases.
Source: Msnbc
Wed, Jun 16, 2010
Anti Aging, Anti Aging Products